The Port of New London:
A Revolutionary Maritime Force

The Port of New London:
A Revolutionary Maritime Force

From its founding 1646, New London has been a force for maritime defense, commerce, shipbuilding and ingenuity.

New London Harbor played a significant role as a major port of Colonial merchant vessels before the American Revolution. During the Revolution, however, those same New London merchant vessels formed a bastion of Colonial defense, operating as privateers to harass and raid British vessels, seizing goods and military supplies. New London’s privateers were so successful that the British targeted the city for destruction, and on Sept. 6, 1781, the infamous traitor Benedict Arnold, originally from Norwich, returned to burn New London and its wharves.

This rich maritime history of shipbuilding, commerce, and port defense provided the foundation for a skilled labor pool that today builds the most sophisticated maritime defense system on earth – submarines of the U.S. Navy – and fills the ranks of the U.S. Coast Guard to protect our shores and mariners at sea.

New London is proud to share with you its role in the American Revolution as we all Celebrate America 250!

Ongoing Events

Thames River Heritage Park Water Taxi – The Park encompasses more than 30 historic and cultural sites on both sides of the Thames River, including two Revolutionary War-era forts, Ft. Trumbull in New London and Ft. Griswold in Groton. Colonial privateers docked along the  wharves of New London attacked British merchant and military vessels, playing a vital role in the Revolution. Benedict Arnold, a native of nearby Norwich, returned to Connecticut on Sept. 6, 1781, to exact revenge on privateers and militiamen on both sides of the river. Arnold’s forces burned the city of New London and its wharves in what became Britain’s final victory of the war. On Oct. 19, 1781, British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered to American and French forces at Yorktown, Va. Explore the maritime history of the Port of New London through various tours aboard the Thames River Heritage Park Water Taxi

Uncovering New London – One Story at a Time – May 22 – Oct. 11 (every Friday, Saturday, Sunday), 10 a.m.; various tours available. Discover the people, places, and moments that shaped New London. Through guided walking tours, curated experiences, and thoughtful storytelling, we bring local history to life—one story at a time. Reservations required by calling 860-443-3786 or emailing ;

May

Black Lives in New London During the Revolution – a walking tour (audio receivers provided) Date TBD, hosted by New London Landmarks

Revolutionary Talk #3, – May 21, 7 – 8 p.m., Shaw Mansion, 11 Blinman St., New London, hosted by New London County Historical Society

“The Ties That Bind: 300 Years of Hidden History of the Black Community in SE Conn.–Through The Lens of a Single Street Corner” – May 23, 2 p.m.; Presented by Historian Tom Schuch, Hosted by Ft. Griswold Battlefield State Park Foundation

Guided house tour in collaboration with CT landmarks through Palmer Warren House owned by CT landmarks.

June

New London-Groton 250th Bar Trivia – Tox Brewing, New London; The Spot, Groton, a collaboration between New London Landmarks and Thames River Heritage Park

Road to Revolution –  June 13, departing from submarine Force Museum Dock, Military Highway, Groton, hosted by Thames River Heritage Park Water Taxi

Revolutionary Talk #4 – June 18, 7 – 8 p.m., Shaw Mansion, 11 Blinman St., New London, hosted by New London County Historical Society

The Declaration of Independence and the American Literary Tradition – June 27, 2 p.m., Presented by Prof. Tom Couser, Hosted by Ft. Griswold Battlefield State Park Foundation

July

July 4 Fireworks Cruise – Departing from Submarine Force Museum Dock, Military Highway, Groton, Hosted by Thames River Heritage Park Water Taxi

Celebrate New London – July 11, noon-9 p.m.; Street festival celebrating the City and America 250, live entertainment, family activities, gallery stroll, Artisan Village; Hosted by City of New London, New London Cultural District, New London Merchants

Mashantucket Pequot Fireworks Extravaganza fireworks cruise – In conjunction with Celebrate New London July 11

Road to Revolution – July 18, departing from Submarine Force Museum Dock, Military Highway, Groton, Hosted by Thames River Heritage Park Water Taxi

Faith Trumbull Huntington: Beloved Governor’s daughter, cherished Army wife, a woman’s life that echoes mental health issues in colonial times – July 18, 2 p.m., Presented by Pamela Hall, Hosted by Ft. Griswold Battlefield State Park Foundation

August

Road to Revolution – Aug. 8, departing from Submarine Force Museum Dock, Military Highway, Groton; Hosted by Thames River Heritage Park Water Taxi

Revolutionary Talk #5 – Aug. 20, 7 – 8 p.m., Shaw Mansion, 11 Blinman St., New London, Hosted by New Londosn County Historical Society

Alamo of the Revolution – Aug. 29, 2 p.m., Presented by Jerry Hurwitz, Hosted by Ft. Griswold Battlefield State Park Foundation

September

Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival – Sept. 12-13, a 3-day celebration of our ties to the sea held in the Port of New London. The 2026 Festival will be SEP 11-13. Join us for a free celebration! To learn more, visit ctmaritimefest.com.

The Revolution Along the Thames – Sept. 6, departing from Submarine Force Museum Dock, Military Highway, Groton;Historian and author Matthew Reardon will discuss ‘A Heroic but Doomed Defense: The Battle of New London, September 6, 1781,’ based on his book The Traitor’s Homecoming: Benedict Arnold’s Raid on New London, Connecticut, September 4-13, 1781. The discussion will cover certain aspects of the Connecticut patriot versus the Connecticut loyalist; Hosted by Thames River Heritage Park Water Taxi

245th Anniversary Commemoration of the Battle of Groton Heights – TIME, Sept. 6, A reenactment of the Sept. 6, 1781, battle between some 165 local militia led by colonel William Ledyard at Ft. Griswold and 800 British soldiers led by British commander Colonel Eyre under the command of Benedict Arnold. Arnold led another 900 soldiers into New London to burn the city and the wharves where Patriot Privateers had docked. Hosted by Ft. Griswold Battlefield State Park Foundation LOCATION

Road to Revolution – Sept. 12, departing from Submarine Force Museum Dock, Military Highway, Groton; Hosted by Thames River Heritage Park Water Taxi

The Burning of Benedict Arnold – Sept. 12, Bank Street, downtown New London, Hosted by Flock Theatre

November

Revolutionary Talk #6 – Nov. 19, 7 – 8 p.m., Shaw Mansion, 11 Blinman St., New London, hosted by New London County Historical Society